More in Equipment

An increased number of farm operators are now providing some type of custom work to other farmers during the growing season. Many times, the farmers involved in custom work arrangements wonder what a fair custom rate is for the various faming practices that were performed....More

Nearly 40% of farms in the U.S. use propane to run pumps and engines, heat buildings and dry and process corn and soybeans. With harvest coming to a close, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) offers a list of tips for preparing your propane equipment for winter....More

Inside a grain storage bin, flowing grain can engulf a grown man in just 20 seconds. That fact alone helps explain why every year, people are hurt – and some killed – in grain bin accidents. Avoiding grain bin entrapment requires awareness of the dangers, as well as training and clear safety procedures to follow in case of emergency....More

Anytime growers decide to put corn into storage, and especially when they plan to store it for several months, they need to manage the grain properly to keep it from spoiling. That includes drying corn to a safer moisture level when it comes out of the field and then properly cleaning, loading, aerating and monitoring it....More

Sam McNeill, Extension specialist, University of Kentucky, talks about the harvest situation in 2013. McNeill addresses corn and soybean harvest loss implications of field drydown versus harvesting earlier and using a grain dryer....More

Yamaha introduced it's new side-by-side vehicle, the 2014 Viking. Travis Hollins, ATV and SxS product planning manager for Yamaha, talks about the new cab features, including three-passenger seating, as well as the utility functions of the new SxS. Hollins also talks about the engine position of the new Viking model, as well as its offroad capabilities, including the On-Command system and Ultramatic transmission....More

With corn and soybean harvest around the corner, it's time to start prepping equipment. One place to start is having the tires on farm equipment inflated to a proper psi. Lucky for you, there's a new mobile website that can help with that....More

John Deere spent almost a month this summer in Columbus, Ohio, training their 4,800 dealers on its new iron and technology coming in 2014. I arrived with other media during the last wave of 1,200 dealers to witness the event and drive the new 7R series tractors....More

John Deere recently launched their new tractors and other machinery for the 2014 season. At the launch event, they showed off the new 8R/8RT tractors, virtually giving the attendees a glimpse of the features of the new tractor....More

Barry Nelson, media relations manager, John Deere, talks about using the data collected during farm operations to manage your overall farm. With FarmSight, JDLink and MyJohnDeere.com, farmers can track machinery, weather, agronomic data and share it with dealers, crop consultants and others to help manage their farms....More

CSD Editor Kurt Lawton attended the recent John Deere product launch, where they introduced the new machines and technologies for 2014. Here, Barry Nelson, media relations manager, John Deere, talks about the new 8R and 7R tractors, S series combines, 4 series sprayers, final Tier 4 engine technology and cab comforts for 2014....More

With late planting and an up and down growing season, when the corn and soybean crops are ready to be harvested, your equipment needs to be ready, too. That includes yield monitors, sensors and wiring. Iowa Soybean Association On-Farm Network offers tips on prepping your equipment for the 2013 harvest....More

In the midst of introducing the Red Power Tour to its dealers, Case IH gave the media a hands-on preview of new equipment headed to dealerships this fall and into 2014. Farmers can get their first glimpse of this lineup at next week’s Farm Progress Show near Decatur, Ill....More

Choosing the right type of sprayer nozzle can make a huge difference in how effective pesticides are during a growing season and whether growers have to re-spray their fields or in some cases, replant, says Erdal Ozkan, an agricultural engineering professor and spray technology expert with Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC)....More

Now is the time to check the accuracy of your sprayer. One can determine if the chemicals are applied at the proper rate only by carefully calibrating the sprayer. While applying too little pesticide may result in ineffective pest control, too much pesticide wastes money, may damage the crop and increases the potential risk of contaminating ground water and environment....More

With the potential for wet soils in some areas of the country this spring, compaction may be an issue during planting. Sidewall compaction in wet soils can be a problem, especially if the crop is “mudded-in” and a dry spell occurs after planting....More

As would be expected with increasing fuel costs, average 2013 custom rates for farm work have a1so increased, compared to 2012 custom rates. Most custom rates for farm work in 2013 are 3-5% above the rates for similar operations in 2012, with an average increase of about 4%....More

Many planters allow seed depth to be adjusted 3-4 in. Actual depth should be checked, however, to ensure penetration of seed openers and accurate seed placement. Row cleaners may be used as an aid for deeper planting, but subsequent rainfall can create soil sealing or erosion. Greater down pressure than normal may aid seed-to-soil contact....More

For Jason Sheehan, cutting input costs was the main impetus for moving to variable-rate fertilizer application and N sidedressing. Reducing the potential for any off-site movement was a close second....More

Using subsurface drip irrigation, Nebraska farmer Don Anthony has maintained big corn and soybean yields while improving his watering efficiency by 35% or more. Like many western Corn Belt and southern High Plains growers with limited annual rainfall, Anthony has counted on irrigation as a staple for his corn, soybeans and other crops....More

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) announces the release of the Propane Farm Incentive Program, a nationwide research and demonstration initiative in which farmers can receive more than $4,000 toward the purchase of new propane-fueled irrigation engines. Farmers who participate in the program will receive a $400 incentive/liter of engine displacement, up to 10.3 L, or $4,120, toward the purchase of a new propane-fueled irrigation engine. Qualifying equipment must be new, original propane-fueled engines and equipment that have obtained the proper EPA and/or California Air Resources Board Certification....More

Do improved planting conditions following shallow vertical tillage result in higher crop yields? “Fine-textured soils and early planting are the two conditions where shallow vertical tillage may provide a yield benefit, compared to no-till,” says Mike Staton, Michigan State University Extension soybean agronomist,” in reference to studies from Michigan, Indiana and Canada.

An increased number of farm operators are now providing some type of custom work to other farmers during the growing season. Many times, the farmers involved in custom work arrangements wonder what a fair custom rate is for the various faming practices that were performed....More